In the Navy, both enlisted and officers can be “frocked.” After being selected for promotion, but waiting for their promotion “line number” to be released, a commander can allow the officer or sailor to assume their new rank.

Last month following the completion of African Partnership Station the USS Nashville left the coast of West Africa and arrived in Rota Spain where on May 29, 46 of the ships Naval personnel were frocked by Admiral Mark Fitzgerald.

Admiral Fitzgeral is the Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe, the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa and the Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Fitzgerald also has operational responsibility for NATO missions in the Balkans, Iraq and the Mediterranean.

Among the sailors who received their promotion from Admiral Fitzgerald on May 29th was OS3 (SW) Reilly Mealer a West Nashville native. Mealer who is serving on the USS Nashville during her final deployment will return home to the city of Nashville in July where he will be honored and recognized for his service aboard the city’s namesake ship.